Joyce Hardin

Joyce Belle Smokes Stuart Hardin, 83, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at her home, in Papalote, Texas. She was born on May 6, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to Stanley and Angelyn (Gusich) Smokes. Joyce grew up with her beloved Bobchi on Long Ave. in Chicago, IL in a close-knit Polish family of aunts, uncles and cousins. In later years she moved to the Rio Grande Valley with her mother and stepfather where she attended Edcouch-Elsa High School, where she was chosen for “Girls State”, Football Sweetheart, Halloween Queen and later graduated from Edcouch-Elsa High School in Edcouch, Texas in 1950. After high school she attended Texas A & I in Kingsville, where she received her bachelors degree, and later went on to the University of Corpus Christi, where she received her masters degree in 1980. She began her 34 year teaching career at Clarkwood in 1952, then on to El Campo, Monte Alto and finally Calallen ISD where she retired in 1992. Joyce married James “Slim” Hardin in 1952 in Edcouch, Texas. They were happily married for 49 years, enjoying numerous trips, gambling at casinos and shrimping on the “MOP TOP”. Joyce was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Sinton. She enjoyed scrabble, reading, scrapbooking and painting and was a member of the South Texas Traditional Art Association. She received numerous awards and ribbons for her paintings. She especially liked painting roses. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Slim; daughter, Sandra Baker; parents, Stanley Smokes and Angelyn Stuart, stepfather, Edwin Stuart; and brothers, Robert and Edwin Stuart. Joyce is survived by her son, Wes (Melissa) Hardin of Papalote, Texas and daughter, Sheila (David) Moore of Corpus Christi, Texas; her grandchildren, Luke (Missy) Hardin, Holly Hardin Vasquez & Richard Vasquez, Hannah Hardin & Cliff Fowler, Mandy (Billy) Smith, Josh (Ashley) Moore, Scott (Dorothy) Baker, Sheila Joyce Baker and Jerrod (Monica) Baker; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart mission church in St. Paul at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 16, 2016, with burial following at the Papalote Catholic Cemetery in Papalote, Texas. The family appreciates everyone at Future Focus and Coastal Bend Cancer Center along with Drs. William Curtis and Emile Salloum. A special thanks to Angel Bright Hospice for all their support at this time.